System for measuring amplitude and phase distortion

ABSTRACT

In order to measure nonlinear phase and/or amplitude distortions in the output of a test network serving for the transmission of FM signals, such as a directive radio link, a relatively low sweep frequency fA of large amplitude UA and a relatively high test frequency fM of small amplitude UM are jointly fed into the baseband input of a frequency modulator working into or forming part of the test network. For complete exploration of the transmission band FO + OR - Delta Fs of the network (FO being a central carrier frequency) with different values of the test frequency fM, without encroaching on adjoining bands, the peak amplitude UA of the sweep voltage uA is so chosen in dependence upon the test frequency that the frequency swing Delta F due to this peak amplitude satisfies the relationship fM + Delta F Delta Fs. To this end, a basic voltage us of sweep frequency fA is fed into an attenuator whose step-down ratio k is electronically controlled through feedback to produce the peak amplitude UA of sweep voltage uA k.us according to the formula

United States Patent 191 Dick [451 Dec. 25, 1973 SYSTEM FOR MEASURING AMPLITUDE AND PHASE DISTORTION [75] Inventor: Rudolf Dick, Eningen, Germany [73] Assignee: Wandel u. Goltermann, Eningen,

Germany 22 Filed: Oct. 19,1972

21 Appl.No.:298,82 9

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 19, 1971 Germany P 21 51 981.3

[52] US. Cl 324/57 R [51] Int. Cl G0lr 27/00 [58] Field of Search 324/57 R, 57 DE [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,416,310 2/1947 Hansen et al. 324/57 R X 2,958,729 11/1960 Licklider 324/57 R X 3,629,696 12 1971 Bartelink 324 57 R Primary Examiner-Stanley T. Krawczewicz Attorney-Karl F. Ross et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT In order to measure nonlinear phase and/or amplitude distortions in the output of a test network serving for the transmission of FM signals, such as a directive radio link, a relatively low sweep frequency f A of large amplitude U A and a relatively high test frequency f of small amplitude U are jointly fed into the baseband input of a frequency modulator working into or forming part of the test network. For complete exploration of the transmission band F i AF, of the network (F being a central carrier frequency) with different values of the test frequency f without encroaching on adjoining bands, the peak amplitude U A of the sweep voltage 14,, is so chosen in dependence upon the test frequency that the frequency swing AF due to this peak amplitude satisfies the relationship f AF AF,,. To this end, a basic voltage u of sweep frequency f,, is fed into an attenuator whose step-down ratio k is electronically controlled through feedback to produce the peak amplitude U, of sweep voltage u,, k-u, according to the formula v1 S- fM/Am where U, is the peak amplitude of the basic voltage 14,. Test frequency f may be derived, by means of a demodulator, from a source of higher frequency f,,, f also working, at the opposite end of the test network, into a modulator receiving the demodulated network output to isolate from it a voltage of ancillary frequency f whose amplitude and phase are then detected as a measure of the distortions to be investigated.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FREQUENCY I$+QF r552 g FREQUENCY Q MOD ULFNOR NETWORK DEMOD UL N01? f \B I 3 m m 5 PROCESSOR SYSTEM FOR MEASURING AMPLITUDE AND PHASE DISTORTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION My present invention relates to a system for measuring nonlinear amplitude and/or phase distortions in the output of a test network, e.g., a directive radio link, through which signals are transmitted by frequency modulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known, e.g., from British patent specifications No. 866,257 and No. 962,367, to measure such nonlinear distortions by frequency-modulating a carrier with a composite voltage consisting of the sum of a relatively low sweep frequency of large amplitude and a relatively high test frequency of small amplitude; the intermodulation products of these two frequencies and then retrieved from the output of the test network and can be fed to an oscilloscope in order to visualize the phase and amplitude distortions in different zones of the frequency band of interest.

The low-frequency sweep voltage u,, U A cos (with 0),, 27rf varies a carrier frequency of mean value F to produce a sweep AF over a range F 1*: AF. The high-frequency test voltage u U cos a) (with 0),, Z'rrf whose frequency is of the order of magnitude of the sweep AF, gives rise to a single pair of significant sideband frequencies separated from the modulated carrier by if Thus, the range of exploration extends over a band F 1 AF, where AF =AF +f It is frequently desirable to vary the magnitude of test frequency f in order to obtain different sets of intermodulation products for a more comprehensive investigation of the transmission characteristics of the network to be tested. From the aforestated relationship it will be noted, however, that such a change in test frequency alters the width of the explored range if the sweep AF due to voltage f,, is kept constant.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The general objects of my present invention is to provide an improved system of the character described in which the spread of the explored frequency range remains unchanged with different values of the test frequency, being preferably made equal to the transmis sion band of the test network so as to enable an investigation of this entire band without creating interferences in adjoining bands.

A more particular object is to provide means in such a system for enabling the selection of different limits for the frequency spread.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to realize the aforestated objects, i.e., to maintain a constant value for AF 8 AF +f the system according to my invention includes a source of basic voltage u U, cos w, of sweep frequency f,,, this component being fed to an electronic attenuator whose step-down ratio or attenuation factor h is jointly controlled by a feedback circuit and by a demodulator for the test frequency f to establish the peak amplituide W,, h-U of the sweep voltage at a value satisfying the relationship s 1 fM/ s) In this way, as will be shown in detail hereinafter, any change in test frequency f is compensated by a modification of the peak amplitude U,, of the sweep voltage.

In order to allow a selective variation of the range limits, i.e., of the absolute magnitude of the spread iAF the feedback circuit for the sweep voltage may include voltage-adjusting means such as a potentiometer ganged with a similar device for concurrently adjusting the peak amplitude V,, of an input voltage v V,, cos (1),, to provide a reference voltage rV, which is differentially combined with the output voltage V of the test-frequency demodulator, the resulting voltage difference being compared with the adjusted peak amplitude r-U of the sweep voltage u in a differential amplifier also included in the feedback path which tends to establish equality between that voltage difference and voltage r-U,,. Similar ganged adjustment means may be inserted in the path of the difference voltage and in a circuit deriving the basic voltage u from the input voltage v,,, with maintenance of a predetermined relationship between the peak amplitude U of this basic voltage and the frequency spread AF The adjustable test frequency f may be generated directly or, according to another feature of my invention, may be obtained by heterodyning with an ancillary frequency f,, from a composite frequency f,,, f, which is also fed to a mixer receiving the demodulated output of the test network. The frequency spectrum appearing in the output of this mixer includes the ancillary frequency f whose amplitude and phase are affected by the distortion encountered in the test net work and can therefore be detected as a measure of that distortion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other features of my invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a distortion-measuring system embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a set of graphs relating to the operation of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed circuit diagram of a transmitting section generating a modulating voltage in the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of part of a transmission section, slightly modifiedwith reference to FIG. 3, and an associated receiving section in the system of FIG. 1.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 I have shown a processor 1, more fully described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, having a transmitting section S and a receiving section E. Transmitting section S generates, on an output terminal 2, a modulating voltage U applied to the baseband input BB of a frequency modulator 4 also receiving a carrier frequency F to produce a scanning oscillation of frequency F i AF. This oscillation traverses a test network 6 feeding a frequency demodulator S which generates an output voltage U on a baseband terminal BB thereof and supplies it to an input terminal 3 of receiving section E of processor 1. Modulator 4 and demodulator 5 may form part of the network 6 or could be separate units.

From an oscillator 7, the transmitting section S receives a variable test frequency f supplied to an input terminal 31 of processor 1. An output terminal 8 of receiving section B carries a measuring voltage 14,, which is applied to the vertical-deflection electrodes of a cathode-ray-tube oscilloscope 9 whose horizontaldeflection electrodes are energized by a sweep voltage u, from an output terminal 8, Measuring voltage 14,, is also applied to a conventional level indicator 10.

In FIG. 2 l have shown the transmission band F :t AF, of the test network 6, together with four different values of test frequency f and corresponding frequency excursions MP of the carrier due to sweep voltage u the magnitude of these excursions being proportional to the peak amplitude U, of that sweep voltage. For any instantaneous value Af of the sweep, the carrier frequency F F 1 Af is accompanied by a pair of first-order sideband frequencies with the separation if,,,. it will be seen that the width of the sweep 2AF varies inversely with the test frequency f to establish the relationship (1).

If the modulator 4 of FIG. 1 has a modulation coefficient K, we can write and AF, K'U,

where U, is the peak amplitude of a basic voltage u U, cos (0,, generating the excursion-i AF By eliminating K from equations (3) and (4) we obtain the expression UA s fM/ S) FIG. 3 shows details of the transmitting section S of FIG. 1 designed to maintain the relationship (1) in accordance with formula (2). Input terminal 31, energized with test frequency f from the adjustable oscillator 7, is connected via a switch 29 and an insulating amplifier 28 to a lead 32 feeding the test voltage u to a frequency demodulator 27. Lead 32 also extends, through a potentiometer 12, to a summing amplifier 1 1 whose other input receives a sweep voltage u A from an electronic attenuator or voltage divider 14 by way of a potentiometer 13. The test voltage u on lead 32, stepped down to a proportional value p'u by potentiometer 12, and the sweep voltage u stepped down to a proportional value (114,, by potentiometer 13, are combined in summer 11 to produce the modulating voltage U on output terminal 2; these proportional voltages are also separately available at two terminals and 2!) for individual delivery to the baseband input of modulator 4 (FIG. 1), e.g., for calibration purposes. Equations (3) and (4) are based on the simplifying assumption that l and that amplifier 11 has a gain of unity; elements 11 and 13 may also be regarded as part of the modulator 4 so that these parameters merge with the modulation coefficient K.

Another lead 33 carries an input voltage v,, V cos (0,, of sweep frequency f,, which is identical with the horizontal-deflection voltage u applied via terminal 8' to the oscilloscope 9 of FIG. 1. A peak-riding rectifier 24, connected to lead 33, detects the amplitude V and feeds a corresponding voltage through a potentiometer 22 to a noninverting input of a differential amplifier 25 of unity gain whose inverting input is energized by the output voltage V of frequency discriminator 27 proportional to test frequency f The output 26 of amplifier 25 thus carries a difference voltage r-V V (r being the step-down ratio of potentiometer 22) which it supplies, through a further potentiometer 19 with a step-down ratio s, as a first control voltage 14 to a noninverting input of another differential amplifier 17 of very high gain approaching infinity. The inverting input of amplifier 17 receives a second control voltage u from a potentiometer 21 whose slider 20 is ganged with the slider 23 of potentiometer 22 and which has the same step-down ratio r, the latter being manually adjustable by means of a selector 20a. in an analogous manner, the slider 18 of potentiometer 19 is ganged with the slider 15 of a potentiometer 16, of the same step-down ratio s, which is connected to lead 33 in order to derive from input voltage V,, a basic voltage a s'v ratio s being manually adjustable by means of a selector 15a. Voltage u, is stepped down in attenuator 14 under the control of amplifier 17 which has an output as long as the voltages u and 14 on its noninverting and inverting inputs are different; in the steady state, therefore, u 14 The attenuated voltage 14 is the sweep voltage 14,, applied via potentiometer 13 to summing amplifier 11 and terminal 2b; a voltage representing its maximum amplitude U, is derived from it by a peak-riding rectifier 34 which feeds the potentiometer 21, thereby completing a feedback loop for attenuator 14.

Let r=AF /AF,, with ZAF representing a maximum range ZAF, explorable with this particular system. With s U,/ V and with V k'f (k being the demodulation coefficient of frequency demodulator 27), selection of k V /AF yields s/ A s/ smar A A/ smaJ:

s/ smaI fM) and 2 A s smnI From the equality u u we obtain put f,, is available on a lead 30 connectable in lieu of terminal 31 to amplifier 28 by switch 29.

As shown in FIG. 4, external oscillator 7 and internal source 30 may be replaced by an oscillator 47 and a lead 40 generating a higher frequency f +f and f f respectively, f being an ancillary frequency of predetermined magnitude substantially higher than f (or f A switch 43 alternately connects the output 41 of oscillator 47 or the lead 40 to a conductor 54 feeding a pair of mixers 44, 45 in parallel. Mixer 44 receives the ancillary frequency f from a local oscillator 46 to recover the test frequency f (or f,,) for delivery, via a low-pass filter 48a and an amplifier 48, to the lead 33 (cf. FIG. 3) as the test voltage u Mixer 45 is connected to input terminal 3 carrying the output voltage U of test network 6 (FIG.1), which includes the test frequency f as one of its components, and isolates the ancillary voltage f therefrom. A further mixer 50, in cascade with mixer 45, receives another ancillary frequency f f f and is supplied with a reference oscillation of like frequency f from a crystal-stabilized oscillator 55. Atdetector' 51 is connected in parallel with phase discriminator 52 to the output of mixer 50; a switch 53 alternately feeds the phase output of discriminator 52 or the amplitude output of detector 51 to an amplifier 56 which supplies the measuring voltage 14,, to the vertical-deflection electrodes of oscilloscope 9 (FIG. 1) via output terminal 8.

The system of FIG. 4 is particularly useful with a processor l as shown in FIG. 1, incorporating both transmitting and receiving sections; when these two sections are located at separate stations, the simpler arrangement of FIG. 3 may be preferable for the transmitting station.

In a typical system of the type shown in FIG. 4, test frequency f may range between 90 kHz and 12 MHz, with MHZ, f 18 MHZ and f 2 MHZ, with f,,, 1 MHz, for example, oscillator 47 has an output frequency of 21 MHz.

I claim:

1. In a system for measuring nonlinear distortions in a test network provided with frequency-modulating means at its input, frequency-demodulating means at .its output, circuitry for supplying to said frequencymodulating means a mixture of a sweep voltage of relatively low frequency f,, and a test voltage of relatively high frequency f to explore a frequency range F i AF with AF AF +f F being the mean frequency of a carrier subject to frequency excursions 1 AF in response to a peak amplitude U,, of said sweep voltage, and indicator means connected to said frequencydemodulating means for evaluating a measuring voltage generated by the latter, the improvement wherein said circuitry comprises:

a source of basic voltage a of said relatively low frequency f said basic voltage having a peak amplitude U, AF /K where K is the modulation coefficient of said frequency-modulating means;

attenuating means connected to said source for converting said basic voltage u into a sweep voltage a of the same frequency f,, and of peak amplitude U,, AF /K and electronic control means for said attenuating means responsive to said relatively high frequency f for maintaining said peak amplitude U,, at a value satisfying the relationship with different values of f the values of U, and AF being constant.

2. The improvement defined in claim I wherein said control means comprises a frequency demodulator for said relatively high frequency f having an output volt age V k'f k being the demodulation coefficient of said frequency demodulator, a first differential amplifier for producing a first control voltage u by subtracting said output voltage V from a reference voltage, a second differential amplifier connected to receive said first control voltage u, on a noninverting input thereof, and a feedback loop supplying to an inverting output of said second differential amplifier a second control voltage u proportional to said peak amplitude U said sec- 0nd differential amplifier tending to maintain the attenuation ratio h U,,/U ofsaid attenuating means at a value making said control voltages substantially equal to each other.

3. The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said first differential amplifier has a gain of substantially unity, said second differential amplifier having a gain of nearly infinity.

4. The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said source of basic voltage u comprises a supply of input voltage v,, of said relatively low frequency f,, and first step-down means for reducing said input voltage by a predetermined ratio s U /V V being the maximum amplitude of said input voltage v said first differential amplitude being provided with second step-down means for reducing the difference between said reference voltage and said output voltage V by the same ratio s to produce said first input voltage 14,.

5. The improvement defined in claim 4, further comprising third step-down means in said feedback loop for reducing said peak amplitude U by a predetermined ratio r AF ,/AF,,,,,,, to produce said second control voltage 14 AF being a predetermined maximum value for half the width of said frequency range, and fourth step-down means of the same ratio r for deriving said reference voltage of magnitude r-V from said maximum amplitude V 6. The improvement defined in claim 5, wherein said demodulation coefficient k equals V IAF 7. The improvement defined in claim 5 wherein said first and second step-down means and said third and fourth step-down means are ganged for simultaneous adjustment of their ratios s and r, respectively.

8. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes oscillator means producing a fixed ancillary frequency f,, a generator of composite frequency f +f first mixer means connected to said oscillator means and said generator for recovering the frequency f for delivery to said control means, and second mixer means connected to said oscillator means and to said frequency-demodulating means for receiving from the latter a voltage with a component of frequency f to isolate said ancillary frequency f, for derivation of said measuring voltage therefrom. 

1. In a system for measuring nonlinear distortions in a test network provided with frequency-modulating means at its input, frequency-demodulating means at its output, circuitry for supplying to said frequency-modulating means a mixture of a sweep voltage of relatively low frequency fA and a test voltage of relatively high frequency fM to explore a frequency range FO + OR - Delta Fs with Delta Fs Delta F + fM, FO being the mean frequency of a carrier subject to frequency excursions + OR Delta F in response to a peak amplitude UA of said sweep voltage, and indicator means connected to said frequency-demodulating means for evaluating a measuring voltage generated by the latter, the improvement wherein said circuitry comprises: a source of basic voltage us of said relatively low frequency fA, said basic voltage having a peak amplitude Us Delta Fs/K where K is the modulation coefficient of said frequencymodulating means; attenuating means connected to said source for converting said basic voltage us into a sweep voltage ua of the same frequency fA and of peak amplitude UA Delta F/K; and electronic control means for said attenuating means responsive to said relatively high frequency fM for maintaining said peak amplitude UA at a value satisfying the relationship UA Us.(1 - fM/ Delta Fs) with different values of fM, the values of Us and Delta Fs being constant.
 2. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a frequency demodulator for said relatively high frequency fM having an output voltage VM k.fM, k being the demodulation coefficient of said frequency demodulator, a first differential amplifier for producing a first control voltage u1 by subtracting said output voltage VM from a reference voltage, a second differential amplifier connected to receive said first control voltage u1 on a noninverting input thereof, and a feedback loop supplying to an inverting output of said second differential amplifier a second control voltage u2 proportional to said peak amplitude UA, said second differential amplifier tending to maintain the attenuation ratio h UA/Us of said attenuating means at a value making said control voltages substantially equal to each other.
 3. The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said first differential amplifier has a gain of substantially unity, said second differential amplifier having a gain of nearly infinity.
 4. The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said source of basic voltage us comprises a supply of input voltage vA of said relatively low frequency fA and first step-down means for reducing said input voltage by a predetermined ratio s Us/VA, VA being the maximum amplitude of said input voltage vA, said first differential amplitude being provided with second step-down means for reducing the difference between said reference voltage and said output voltage VM by the same ratio s to produce said first input voltage u1.
 5. The improvement defined in claim 4, further comprising third step-down means in said feedback loop for reducing said peak amplitude UA by a predetermined ratio r Delta Fs/ Delta Fsmax to produce said second control voltage u2, Delta Fsmax being a predetermined maximum value for half the width of said frequency range, and fourth step-down means of the same ratio r for deriving said reference voltage of magnitude r.VA from said maximum amplitude VA.
 6. The improvement defined in claim 5, wherein said demodulation coefficient k equals VA/ Delta Fsmax.
 7. The improvement defined in claim 5 wherein said first and second step-down means and said third and fourth step-down means are ganged for simultaneous adjustment of their ratios s and r, respectively.
 8. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes oscillator means producing a fixed ancillary frequency fz, a generator of composite frequency fM + fz, first mixer means connected to said oscillator means and said generator for recovering the frequency fM for delivery to said control means, and second mixer means connected to said oscillator means and to said frequency-demodulating means for receiving from the latter a voltage with a component of frequency fM to isolate said ancillary frequency fz for derivation of said measuring voltage therefrom. 